Hello! I though i’d write. a post to draw together some of my top harp picks for Christmas gifts this year.
Even if you’re done shopping for the holiday season, this guide might give you some inspiration for your harp journey.
Harp Journal
I love this 90 day harp journal and practice planner. It’s suitable for all types of harps and all ability levels and features journal pages, to do lists, blank lined pages, space to brainstorm and a 90-day diary to log your practice. Keep notes on lessons learnt, repertoire, songs you would like to learn, light bulb moments from lessons and feedback, harp maintenance, status of strings and more.
2. Snark Clip-on Tuner
The Snark Clip-on Tuner is such a handy little tuner to have in your bag - it’s fast and accurate, and the battery life is really good! It’s especially if you have to tune in a room full of other people!
3. Harp Cookie Cutter
This Harp-shaped cookie cutter is so cute and will add a musical theme to your baking!
4. Dusty Strings Harp Buttons
These amazing little harp buttons were launched this year by harp-maker-extraordinaires Dusty Strings, and they make changing harp strings sooooo much easier! An innovative new string anchor that takes the the stress of tying that pesky harper's knot.
I was skeptical that they could really work, but they hold fast and make string changes a lot less stressful!
5. Magnetic Pencil Holder and Pencil for your Music Stand
This Magnetic Pencil Holder and Pencil for on your Music Stand is an incredibly simple idea, but if you’re anywhere as disorganised as me, it’s a life saver when practising. Keep your pencil magnetically attached to your music stand, and never be hunting around for it again!
6. Technical Exercises for Lever Harp Book
I launched my Technical Exercises for Lever Harp book in August, and it’s been wonderful to see harpists of all abilities, from all around the world using it, and seeing the difference it’s made to their playing! Available as a spiral-bound hard copy or in PDF version.
7. Christmas Harp CD
French harpist Xavier de Maistre is one of the best in the world, and Christmas Harp is his latest album, which features arrangements of famous Christmas carols as well as melodies by Schubert and Tchaikovsky. In addition, Xavier de Maistre has selected a number of fantasies and paraphrases of international carols by one of the twentieth century’s greatest harpists, Carlos Salzedo.
8. Leather Celtic Harp Tuning Key Holder
Deceptively simple – but attractive and functional. These tuning key holders are hand crafted in 1.6 - 2.4mm vegetable tanned leather, individually embossed with a Celtic Knot, dyed and sewn with robust, attractive, leather thonging.
9. Online Harp School Subscription (Level 1 and 2)
These 10-week Online Harp School courses have been carefully designed to introduce techniques one at a time, systematically, week by week, based on what I know WORKS from 15 years experience as a teacher. And even better - it's from the comfort of your own home, and can be done at your own pace - with the reassurance that you can contact me for help any time!
Level 1 is for beginners, and level 2 then builds on what is learnt in level 1.
10. Disney Songs for Harp
Sylvia Wood’s book of Disney Songs is a firm favourite with many of my students. This fun book spans 60 years of beloved Disney songs from movies, TV shows, and theme parks. The songs are fingered, can be played on either pedal or lever harp, and have both lever and pedal changes marked in the music. Some of the songs are very easy to play, while others are more difficult.